BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said on Wednesday there is no let-up in rape incidents in the country even after making the death sentence as the punishment for the heinous crime, reports UNB.
"Apart from reports on death sentence for rapists, there is news on seven rape incidents in today's (Wednesday's) newspapers. People knew it seven days back that the punishment for rape would be made death sentence, but there's no respite from rape. The reason is there's no enforcement of the law," he said.
The BNP leader came up with the remarks while speaking at a discussion, organised by Jatiyatabadi Somobai Dal at the National Press Club in the city, marking its 10th founding anniversary.
The BNP leader also said there was law and provision in the past to punish the rapists within 90 days under the speedy trial tribunal, but most of the trial process in such cases never ended even by nine years.
"We wouldn't have required the death penalty for rape had we been able to make the trial process effective and end the trial by 90 days since life term punishment means jail unto death," he observed.
Amid the widespread protest against the rise in rape incidents, President Abdul Hamid on Tuesday promulgated an ordinance increasing the punishment in rape cases to the death sentence from life-term imprisonment.
Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said there is no point in making any law if its enforcement is not ensured.
"There're many laws on paper, there are many things also on paper. There're many things written in our constitution and there're many laws in the country that are enough to deal with such a social menace, but we only need their enforcement," he said.
The BNP leader alleged the government itself does not obey the constitution. "So, who'll obey the law when those who made those violate the constitution?"
He said there is no alternative but to 'restore' democracy in the country to get rid of the current situation. "The current social degradation and widespread plundering are an outcome of lack of democracy in the county. Where there's no democracy, there are no human rights. Where there are no human rights, there's no public security and where there's no rule of law, basic rights can never be enjoyed."
Gayeshwar called upon all to get united and take to the streets together for establishing their rights and ensuring the rule of law and good governance in the country.
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